Jewish tradition has wrestled with this feeling for millennia.
The Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei_Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei Zohar, a foundational text of Kabbalah, dives deep into this very question. Specifically, Tikkunei Zohar 103 grapples with the discomforting reality of exile, and the seeming prosperity of those who oppress Israel.
It's a tough pill to swallow.
The verse from Lamentations (1:5) sets the stage: "Her adversaries were on top, her enemies were in comfort." Who are these adversaries? According to the Tikkunei Zohar, they include the 'eirev rav (עֵרֶב רַב) – the "mixed multitude" who left Egypt with the Israelites. Tradition often paints the 'eirev rav as a source of trouble, those who lacked true faith and led the Israelites astray.
And what about those "enemies in comfort"? The text identifies them as Esau and Yishmael, symbolic figures representing nations hostile to Israel, along with the "seventy appointed-ones." These seventy are understood as the patron angels or representatives of the seventy nations of the world. Ginzberg, in Legends of the Jews, expands upon this concept of national angels, each vying for influence and power.
So, here's the picture: The 'eirev rav, Esau, Yishmael, and the seventy nations are "in comfort, in wealth," while Israel is "oppressed in poverty." It feels… unfair.
The verse from Isaiah (1:23) adds another layer: "Your princes are deviants, and a company of thieves, all of them, loving bribery..." This points to corruption and injustice among the leadership of these nations, further emphasizing the moral imbalance.
Why is this happening? The Tikkunei Zohar doesn't offer easy answers. But it forces us to confront the reality of exile, a state of spiritual displacement where the divine presence feels hidden, and justice seems elusive.
It's a call to examine our own actions, to strive for righteousness, and to trust that even in the darkest times, there is a deeper purpose at play. It reminds us that appearances can be deceiving and that true wealth lies not in material possessions, but in spiritual integrity.
Perhaps the "comfort" of Israel's adversaries is fleeting, built on shaky foundations. Perhaps true and lasting comfort awaits those who remain steadfast in their faith and commitment to justice. What do you think?